Author Interview: Claire Buss

Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hi, my name is Claire and I like long walks by the beach… oh wait, that’s not what you want lol. I’m a stay at home mum to two little darlings, the deputy editor of Write On! Magazine and a multi-genre author. I read lots, try to write lots, love watching movies, baking and eating cake!

What do you write (genre, length)?

I write a variety of different things. The Gaia Collection trilogy is my hopeful dystopia series. The Rose Thief, The Interspecies Poker Tournament and Ye Olde Magick Shoppe are all from my humorous fantasy Roshaven world. Tales from Suburbia and Tales from the Seaside are my short story collections, The Blue Serpent & other tales and Flashing Here & There are my flash fiction collections. Then I have six books currently in my Little Book poetry series–Little Book of Verse, Spring, Summer, Winter, Love, and Spooky Little Book. I also have short stories in four other anthologies so lots of different things available.

What is/are your current project/s? Please give us some details.

I have two WIPs on the go at the moment and I’m currently frozen in place not writing on either but sometimes that’s just the way it goes, right? The Silk Thief is another full length novel from my humorous fantasy Roshaven world whereas the Kat Books are a new series for me about a young woman who discovers the supernatural world as part of her new job for an odd little temping agency.

Who (author or otherwise) or what book inspired you to write?

I am continuously inspired by all the talented writers around me and often feel like I’m not trying my best when I see all the consistent wonderful work happening around me but the key is to just keep doing as much as you can. My Roshaven books specifically are inspired by my love of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Never give up! Never surrender!

What do you do for a living?

I am a writer. That is my job, career, day-job whatever. I’m also a housewife and stay at home mum. At the time of answering these questions currently the UK is under lockdown so I’m also homeschooling lol.

Who is/are your favorite author(s)?

I like Sir Terry Pratchett, Sara Douglass, Robin Hobb, Ben Aaronovitch, Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan—those are the authors that made it from library book into actual paperback/hardback bought.

What is/are your favorite book(s)?

I find it really hard to answer that question because I haven’t read everything yet so how do I know which books are my favourite? Lol. So my go-to book that I re-read a lot is Eye of the World by Robert Jordan.

What’s the best compliment someone can give you as an author?

I think the best compliment is to read and review the book. You can’t ask for anything else.

What is the strangest/most interesting/coolest/weirdest/scariest thing you’ve had to research for a book or short story?

I had to research how to blow up a building for The Gaia Effect because there is a terrorist attack and I wanted to explain the destruction and the ‘how’ correctly—if you know what I mean.

What is the most difficult part of writing for you? Why?

The most difficult part for me is procrastination. I’ll often out the physical writing at the end of my to-do list instead of the beginning and I can get very intimidated by the blank page. But then I have massive writing splurges where I write 1000s and 1000s of words in one sitting so I guess that’s just the type of writer I am.

What is your favorite genre to read? Why?

My favourite genre is fantasy but I’ll read almost anything except for horror (because I’m a wuss) and I do find non-fiction hard to engage with sometimes.

What are some little known facts about you? Hobbies, talents, anything?

Hmmm, I’m incredibly scared of snails, I have my grades 1 and 2 roller skating qualifications and my elbows bend out the wrong way…

Do you like physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks better? Why?

I love holding a physical book, however, a busy life with kids and having to do some travel on the train now and then, I very much appreciate reading on my phone and Kindle. I do enjoy audiobooks, but I rarely seem to have the time to listen to them so I’m less likely to actively choose those.